Marseille With Kids by Age Group
Marseille With Kids by Age Group
A seven-year-old and a seventeen-year-old need different days in Marseille. Planning by age keeps the free options for the youngest and the paid ones for those who will enjoy them.
Under 5: water, sand and carousels
The ferry-boat across the Vieux-Port is the cheapest ride in town. The 3-minute crossing costs €0.50, and it is free with an RTM pass. Parc Borély, on the Avenue du Prado, covers 17 hectares with a boating lake, pedal boats, a rose garden, a carousel and wide lawns. Across the road, the Prado beaches have shallow water, playgrounds and skateparks. Entry to the park is free.
Ages 5 to 9: trains and fibreglass animals
The Petit Train leaves from the Quai du Port and climbs to Notre-Dame de la Garde in about 1h15 round trip, with a stop of about 20 minutes at the basilica. Tourist-office listings give roughly €8 to €11 for adults and €4 to €6 for children, so check the fare on board. Parc Longchamp has no live animals, since the old zoo closed in 1987. Colourful fibreglass animals now stand in the original cages, and the gardens and cascading fountains are free. Cosquer Méditerranée charges €6 for ages 6 to 9, and children ride the silent pods through the replica cave.
Ages 10 to 14: caves, soap and Roman ships
Cosquer tickets cost €11 for ages 10 to 17, and the audio guide follows the discovery of the hand stencils. The Fer à Cheval soap factory welcomes children aged 10 and over on a free 45-minute visit, by reservation only at the Savon de Marseille site . The Musée d’Histoire de Marseille has free permanent galleries with Roman ship hulls, and the fish market at the Quai des Belges runs from 08:00 to 13:00.
Teens: bridges, murals and the sea
The MuCEM footbridge hangs 20 metres above the water and costs nothing to cross. Cours Julien has street art, vinyl and graphic novel shops, and the rainbow stairs of rue Estelle are an easy photo stop. The MuCEM galleries cost €11, or €7.50 reduced, and are closed on Tuesdays.
Getting around with children
An RTM single costs €1.70, a 24-hour pass €6.70 and a 72-hour pass €14. The tourist office also lists a group ticket for four people at €4.90. Fares for children vary, so ask at the counter or on the RTM site . Keep an eye on bags at Saint-Charles and the Vieux-Port, where pickpockets work. For family tickets and current hours, see the Marseille tourist office , or browse family activities on GetYourGuide .
The sightseeing page lists hours for the free hilltop terraces.
Tip: buy the Cosquer tickets online for the first morning, and keep the beach or the Parc Borély lawn for the afternoon.